Kim Bedier, CFE, Named 2014-2015 IAVM Board Chair

(Dallas, Texas) Aug. 6, 2014—Kim Bedier, CFE, director of Public Assembly Facilities for the City of Tacoma, is the 2014-2015 Board Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM).

“I love the venue management industry. I think this career chose me. It’s been a wonderful ride and very gratifying for me to be able to give back to it. I have received so much professionally: learning and lifelong friendships from IAVM,” Bedier said. “This year as chair may be challenging and time consuming, but it is worth it because of what the organization has given me. I’m excited to tackle it.”

Bedier joined IAVM in 1995 and has served on several of the association’s committees and councils including chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, chair of the Arenas Committee, and chair of the Results Policies/Strategic Planning Task Force.

“Kim is the perfect person to lead our organization as we evolve our governance to a more strategic approach, given her experience with other boards that have done the same,” said Vicki Hawarden, CMP, president and CEO of IAVM. “I know Kim will continue to ensure we are transparent and thoughtful in the coming year, and always listening to our members.”

Bedier graduated with a degree in recreation and physical education from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada, and her first job after graduation took her to Igloolik in the Eastern Canadian Arctic where she managed the construction of a recreation complex and introduced the first penguins to the area.

She joined the City of Tacoma from the Comcast Arena in Everett, Washington, where, as general manager, she opened the facility in 2003.

As director of Public Assembly Facilities for the City of Tacoma, Washington, Bedier is responsible for venues that include the Tacoma Dome—one of the world’s largest wood domed structures and a rare survivor from the “dome era” with seating for up to 23,000—and the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, which offers more than 119,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. The Cheney Stadium (home of the Tacoma Rainiers), the historic Pantages and Rialto theaters, and the Theater on the Square are also under her supervision.

Bedier is committed to leaving things better than she found them, and the IAVM Board Chair is no exception.

“My goal is to continue to deliver on what [previous chairman] John Bolton, CFE, has done in regards to keeping us relevant,” she said. “We are in the middle of a governance shift, and we will continue to work with people to help them understand why that’s a great thing. At the end of the day, I’d like every member to receive value.”